Is it worth it?

[Henrypiano6888]

Just a little few points to consider before you read, I'm not asking for any handouts nor am I asking for you to view my channel/videos (as this isn't trying to promote them). I'm also not planning on monetizing either.

Ok, so I have issue that I'm struggling with right now on whether to continue to make the same high quality videos that I have been making almost 2 months ago. I do music covers (piano particularly) and whenever I do a cover, it costs me a pretty penny or two, renting equipment, space, and my camera, etc.. I also keep a close eye on my budget and I can only spend so much per video. Plus, not to mention the time it takes to learn the piece, refine it to concert performance standards, memorize it (most of the time at least), then record it, and edit it. So far, I have invested about a couple hundred in my projects.. Most of my videos only received around 3-digit views, less than half a thousand, and recently my newer covers could not advance to 3-digits. (No I'm not asking for you to go and view it, just giving out my stats on my recent videos.)

So my question is given my circumstances, do you think it's worth it to continue to keep investing in making (high quality) videos that I have been doing lately, or should I scale back and wait until I have built a large audience (preferably one that WILL watch my content, like something around 1k-2k active viewers + the occassional viewers)? Consider that it costs me quite a bit of time, effort, and a pretty penny per video.

 

[FNGSmexxy]

Maybe change it up add something alittle different

 

[jason1909]

Consider what your situation is and do what you think will benefit you most. I think you should wait a bit until you have a larger audience since you are spending so much money on equipment although these high quality videos may get you that large audience!

 

[unknown_user015]

do you have an electric piano so you can record your music at home? most youtube pianist right now use electric piano or something, i don't know how it's called.

 

[unknown_user0032]

You won't get that large-scale audience unless you continue putting out the HQ material. Start putting out lesser stuff, and the crowds simply won't come in.

 

[Henrypiano6888]

Maybe change it up add something alittle different

Yeah I have a few ideas that aren't really related to the piano, but I would want to still make 90% of content related to the piano, since it is a music channel

Consider what your situation is and do what you think will benefit you most. I think you should wait a bit until you have a larger audience since you are spending so much money on equipment although these high quality videos may get you that large audience!

Yeah I think I will wait, though I don't want to appear inactive to others if I wait too long... I may just occasionally put something up just so people don't think that I've quit. Speaking of that, I've been trying to find incentives for the audience.

do you have an electric piano so you can record your music at home? most youtube pianist right now use electric piano or something, i don't know how it's called.

No I do not, and since I'm on a very tight budget, I am unable to afford one (especially a very good one with all the bells and whistles). The actual term most musicians refer to it is a "digital piano" btw.

 

[JTMulcahy]

Do what you enjoy! Don't focus on the views and the money. If you see your videos as a chore instead of a way to have fun, than the whole fundamentals of Youtube are kind of lost. Just do whatever makes you happy.

 

[Henrypiano6888]

Thanks for the response everyone, I suppose I will wait until I gather a larger base before releasing many great videos in order to maximize the audience per video. In the meantime, I will be working on future covers and be as active as possible on Youtube

You won't get that large-scale audience unless you continue putting out the HQ material. Start putting out lesser stuff, and the crowds simply won't come in.

I agree with the quality > quantity, I suppose it is better to take my sweet time to make something really uber good than to just churn out something here and there..

Do what you enjoy! Don't focus on the views and the money. If you see your videos as a chore instead of a way to have fun, than the whole fundamentals of Youtube are kind of lost. Just do whatever makes you happy.

Yeah, and at the time it seems part of my fundamentals are partially lost. :/

 

[JTMulcahy]

I watched some of your videos and I enjoyed your playing, but the mic on the camera makes the song get really whiny on the high notes. Maybe you could invest the money on a better mic and just leave out the camera. Focus more on the music quality itself and then when money grants it, buy a nice camera. This way you can build an audience that can respect you properly for your music.

 

[Henrypiano6888]

Thanks for the recommendation, and speaking of getting a better mic, yeah that would have be in the late future since I would still need to get a job first...